Transoesophageal Echocardiogram
(also called TOE/TEE)
Introduction
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves (signals) to take pictures of your heart. It is used to check your beating heart and its various parts including valves (doors), walls, pumping of blood in and outside heart, Pressures in various parts of heart.
This test provides very important information to your cardiologist to identify any problems in heart. This is a non-invasive and painless test with quick results.
There are various types of Echocardiograms including:
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram (ECHO).
- Trans-esophageal Echocardiogram (TTE OR TOE)
Procedure
A TOE is an invasive test. This test is performed at a hospital room. It involves ECHO machine with a screen (like TV and transducer which will obtain images from your heart. The images of your heart are obtained via a long, thin, tube (endoscope) to guide the ultrasound transducer down the oesophagus (“food pipe” that goes from the mouth to the stomach).
You will be asked to lie down in a bed. The doctor will either put you to sleep or make you sleepy with the help of medications. The technician will attach sticky patches (electrodes) to your body to help detect and conduct the electrical currents of your heart. The technician will dim the lights of the room to view the images of the heart. Your mouth and throat will be numbed with a local anaesthetic spray and a plastic mouthpiece will be placed between your teeth. You will be then asked to swallow this tube (endoscope). Once you swallow the tube, the images will be recorded in various angles on a monitor, which are recorded for your doctor to review. You may hear a pulsing "whoosh," which the ultrasound is recording the blood flowing through your heart.
What we look for in HEART during TEE/TOE?
- Heart size
- Pumping strength
- Damage to the heart muscle
- Valve problems
- Heart defects
Who is TEE/TOE for?
- The is recommended in the following conditions:
- Infection of Heart valves
- Any clots in the heart
- Stroke
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Pulmonary Hypertension (Lungs related heart disease
- Others -** Can be requested by physicians in any medical conditions
How long does the procedure last?
This procedure may take upto 30-40 minutes depends on the images. Sometimes they may use some contrast (coloured dye) to obtain images, therefore the procedure may need extra time.